Neighborhood Nonprofit Spotlight: ALIAS Chamber Ensemble

Patch talks to ALIAS Chamber Ensemble about the work it does to enhance the Nashville local music community.

Patch: Tell Patch a little bit about your organization!

ALIAS: ALIAS Chamber Ensemble was founded in 2002, and is comprised of Nashville’s finest professional musicians - members of the Nashville Symphony, artists in the recording industry, and professors at local universities. The ensemble has recorded three CDs of new American music, the first of which won a Grammy nomination for “Best Small Ensemble Performance”. The musicians volunteer their time and talents for ALIAS’ performances, putting in dozens of hours of preparation for each concert in order to present music at the highest artistic level.

ALIAS has been responsible for the creation of art as well, performing over two dozen World Premieres of new compositions over the years. A growing series of educational programs, “Alias in the Community”, brings music to students and adults that don’t normally have exposure to classical music or music education.

Patch: How does your organization help to strengthen the local community?

ALIAS: ALIAS Chamber Ensemble performs music from all time periods, focusing on new music and unusual or rarely-heard works from earlier times. The musicians are all highly accomplished local professionals. In addition to its regular concert series, Alias presents educational programs in the community, bringing music to students and adults that don’t normally have exposure to classical music or music education.

ALIAS has also collaborated with other arts organizations over the years, such as the Nashville Ballet and Portara vocal ensemble, as well as other arts groups. ALIAS has partnered with other local nonprofit service organizations, sharing the stage, the audience, and the ticket sales at their concerts - over the years ALIAS helped raise over $30,000 for these local nonprofit partners.

Patch: What are the biggest struggles your organization faces?

ALIAS: While ALIAS performance events are enthusiastically attended, Nashville audiences have many options for concert entertainment. It is a constant struggle to maintain and grow with regard to audience development. The other struggle, of course, is common for all nonprofits: Though Alias has a stellar record of financial management (always ending each season "in the black”), fundraising is always a challenge.

Patch: What do you hope for the future of your nonprofit?

ALIAS: ALIAS has created a long-term plan as well as a “wish-list” for the future. Goals include: Growth of audience base and attendance at performances; creation of a lasting legacy of industry-acclaimed recordings of new music; continuing to commission new compositions from diverse composers; expanding Alias community outreach events to more schools and adult centers; bringing our concert programs to other cities and even other countries; and collaborating with other performing arts groups in Nashville and elsewhere.

Image via John Partipilo, ALIAS Chamber Ensemble